In an email sent to supporters yesterday, presidential candidate Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) said that the Second Amendment acts as a defense for the People against “governmental tyranny,” Talking Points Memo reported.

Cruz wrote:

“The 2nd Amendment to the Constitution isn’t just for protecting hunting rights, and it’s not only to safeguard your right to target practice. It is a Constitutional right to protect your children, your family, your home, our lives, and to serve as the ultimate check against governmental tyranny — for the protection of liberty.”

The senator went on to say that he was “coming under attack from the left-wing media and even Republicans who want to label me as an extremist — all for supporting a fundamental right — your right to keep and bear arms.”

After asking for donations, of course, Cruz then talks about President Obama and then-Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid’s attempt to strengthen gun control laws in 2013, saying that he “fought back, ready to shut down the Senate to stop any legislation undermining the 2nd Amendment right to keep and bear arms.”

Apparently shutting down the government when he doesn’t get what he wants is Cruz’s favorite negotiating tactic. It’s also odd that he would tout fighting back against government tyrants as he runs to become the head of them. Would Cruz be so pro-militia if the angry mob had him in its sights?